@scottota

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Welcome 2 #SommChat every1! Tell UR friends 2 join us 2 hear abt #wine w Advanced #Sommelier @scottota of @highstreetwine !

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We’d like 2 introduce you to Advanced #Sommelier @scottota of @highstreetwine! #SommChat #WW

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Abt ready 2 dive in w/ ?s, so S/O 2 Advanced #Sommelier @scottota of @highstreetwine & say hello so he knows UR here! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Don’t forget to include #SommChat on EVERY tweet in order 4 every1 2 C see it! #WineWednesday

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: As we ask Advanced #Sommelier @scottota our Qs on, you can ask him Ur Qs as well! He’ll do his best 2 answer all Qs in order #SommChat #WW

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Even if u dont ask 1, S/O 2 Advanced #Sommelier @scottota and @KeeperColl 2 let us know u R here! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Let’s start talking with Advanced #Sommelier @scottota of @highstreetwine about #Wine on #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: Great to be here with everyone, and thank you for having me on today! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @scottota Tell us about the concept(s) behind High Street Wine Co. @highstreetwine #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine It's a hospitality-first concept as a wine bar & retail shop; phase two = wine classes and wine subscriptions #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm: what are your hours @highstreetwine and what criteria did u use to hire #wine staff?

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine 7 days a week ... Around 11am-11pm each day with farmer's market offerings in the morning #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine And in hiring, we look at passion and humility first; second is empathy and generosity; third is wine #SommChat

Charles Comm PR @CharlesComm: Q: @scottota what similarities do you find btwn music & #wine? Do you find a common thread in your passions for each? #SommChat @KeeperColl

Scott Ota @scottota: @CharlesComm @KeeperColl Music & wine are both artful expressions; however, I see music as creative and wine as expressions #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr shy #SommChat peep: @scottota can you give a #wine newbie some suggestions for Qs 2 open dialogue with #Somm ?

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl Just communicate what you like & the best somms will guide you into the right selections. Start with style, then grape #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@scottota How long did you have to finish out and secure #wine list from time you started @highstreetwine to opening? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine About 3-4 weeks to secure the wines. Wine was easier, but systems and training were the real challenge #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm - @scottota read in article U chose #SanAntonio over #NYC & other jobs out of #Austin what were major factors

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl The opportunity to start something from the ground up! And I'm a Texas boy in heart and spirit ;) #SommChat

Miranda Waldron @mirandawaldronc: @scottota Whats something important you've learned since the recent opening of @highstreetwine? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @mirandawaldronc @highstreetwine Great question! We learn new things everyday ... #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @mirandawaldronc @highstreetwine Most important: give your staff appreciation & every tool they need to succeed #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@scottota What criteria did you use for selecting #wines at @highstreetwine? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine We always go with representations of flavors and places; plus is has to have a high 'yummy-factor' #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl:Q fr #SommChat #Somm - @scottota is it hard to find #wine ppl 2 hire N #SanAntonio compared to #Austin ? is #Somm Community growing in #SA?

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl Great people are always hard to find, but we hired differently: Less focus on wine and more about hospitality #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl And the somm scene in SATX is definitely growing. There are lots of somms here thirsty for knowledge #SommChat #SATXSomms

Drew Gourdié @drewbie_g: Wow I *love* SATX! Thrilled to hear it's turning out new Somm's! #SommChat #WineWednesday

Scott Ota @scottota: @drewbie_g Yeah! Our study group started with 8 somms, but has grown to 14 in 4 months. Keep it growing! #SATXSomms #SommChat

Drew Gourdié @drewbie_g: That’s amazing! And after San Antonio, my fave Texas town is Grapevine, near DFW... I see a theme emerging! 😉 #SATXSomms #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@drewbie_g let us know ahead when you get to #SATX & we will try to meet U for #wine @highstreetwine to see @scottota #SommChat

Drew Gourdié @drewbie_g: Best idea ever! Not often there, but was a frequent visitor back in my IT days; USAA was a client. Enjoyed their campus, LOVED San Antonio! twitter.com/KeeperColl/sta…

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl:Q fr #SommChat #Somm how did you decide on # of WBG and bottles on @highstreetwine & how many do you have of each @scottota ?

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine We wanted a broad selection of styles, flavors & seasonality; 30 BTG selections w/ 160 total bottles #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@scottota What is your process for recommending #wines to customers at @highstreetwine? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine Always ask the guest their preferences. Start with style, then weight, then price #SommChat

Sandy Wasserman CS @SandyWasserman: Good morning @scottota How did you get in to the wine biz & who are your mentors? Thanks #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @SandyWasserman Great question, Sandy! I got into wine b/c of my love for food & hospitality. Mentors= Nathan Prater & @ccollinsms #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@CharlesComm & @SandyWasserman great to see you both on #SommChat today have a great #WW

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat peep: @scottota do U have all #wines on list avail. 4 retail R only some is there separate list? how does customer get list?

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl At this time, we list all wines. On certain releases, we will only sell 1/2 retail, then reserve the rest for High ST #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@scottota How was the location for @highstreetwine chosen? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine We wanted a high-volume, 'happening' location in SATX. The @HistoricPearl was an easy choice #SommChat

Sandy Wasserman CS @SandyWasserman: Q @scottota Have you ever made wine? Any desire to do so? If so, what & where? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @SandyWasserman I've never made wine, but I think it would be fun! Hard to pick one place: either Rhone, Provence or S. Italy #SommChat

Craig Collins, MS @ccollinsms: @scottota @SandyWasserman thx Scott, love ya brotha! #SommChat

Miranda Waldron @mirandawaldronc: @scottota What is the #wine market in San Antonio like? Is it changing? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota:@mirandawaldronc So far, our SATX guests have been pretty adventurous. Steakhouses do well, but guests are asking for creativity #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@scottota What do you think @highstreetwine brings to the @HistoricPearl and what will it bring to the wine bar? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine @HistoricPearl We both bring community & hospitality to each other. We are excited to have each other #SommChat

Charles Comm PR @CharlesComm: Q: @scottota what's your process to develop a #wine list? How do you #balance authenticity & popular appeal? #SommChat @KeeperColl

Scott Ota @scottota: @CharlesComm @KeeperColl (1) Flavors & Balance (2) Value (3) Representation of Place (4) Guests (5) Me, last ... #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @CharlesComm @KeeperColl Most wines with popular appeal start to lose value, so we prefer to side more with growers over brands #SommChat

Charles Comm PR @CharlesComm: @scottota who are your favorite winemaking musicians? @KeeperColl #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @CharlesComm @Keeper Not sure of any mainstream artists off the cuff, but I'll give a nod to Tim Gaiser for music love + wine #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @CharlesComm @KeeperColl Most wines with popular appeal start to lose value, so we prefer to side more with growers over brands #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm : how are ppl reacting to being able to buy retail #wine in a wine bar > or < than what U thought @highstreetwine ?

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine So far it's been mostly bar b/c people want to check out the space, but retail is picking up quickly #SommChat

Sandy Wasserman CS @SandyWasserman: Q @scottota Any wines or regions your "geeking" out on recently? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @SandyWasserman I've actually been geeking out more with beer recently, but for wine: Loire, Languedoc, Sicily & Santa Barbara, CA #SommChat

Sandy Wasserman CS @SandyWasserman: @scottota Which beers? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @SandyWasserman Beers? Funkwerks @Funkwerks, JW Lees, Jolly Pumpkin @jollypumpkin, & Blue Owl @BlueOwlBrewing #SommChat

Craig Collins, MS @ccollinsms: Q @scottota Which #TxWine producers are you enjoying right now? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @ccollinsms Always been a fan of Duchman. But recently enjoying William Chris and Lewis #TxWine #SommChat

Craig Collins, MS @ccollinsms: @scottota right on, I love the @DuchmanWinery wines too. The '15 whites are great! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@ccollinsms gr8 to C u on #SommChat - thx for UR continued support. Cant wait 2C what #tuscan #wines u pick 4 @ItalicATX event on 11/1

Craig Collins, MS @ccollinsms: @KeeperColl the 'Wines of Tuscany' will b gr8 w/ @coltibuono @TenutadiTrinoro @IlPoggioneWines #boscarelli #Neri #brunello +more @ItalicATX

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@scottota What are some of your favorite #wine and #food pairings available at @highstreetwine? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine I like our simple pairings: Champagne & baby clams, mussels & rosé, cheese & chenin blanc #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm : what mkt outlets did U use for opening @highstreetwine & which were most successful @scottota ?

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine Great question. No marketing at 1st. Why bring everyone in early when you're still figuring it out? #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @scottota How does the environment/design at @highstreetwine compliment the experience? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine The environment is geared towards approachability. Think of us as a beer garden, but with great wines #SommChat

Miranda Waldron @mirandawaldronc: @scottota Any advice for a #winenewbie going somewhere like @highstreetwine for the first time? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @mirandawaldronc @highstreetwine Come ready to have a great time and leave any pretentiousness at home ;) #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@scottota Did you work closely with #Chef @highstreetwine on #food #menu for opening and will that continue if so? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine We have selections @AntonellisCHZ, @GreatGaucho & @GourmetJOSE. Complex flavors & simple presentations #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@scottota Do you plan to continue your pursuit of @MasterSommUS with ur duties @highstreetwine & how will U focus if so? #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @MasterSommUS @highstreetwine I do plan to continue studies. However, High Street & our staff come before me and MS... #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @MasterSommUS @highstreetwine Once High Street is off and running, I'll be able to take a step back & continue studies #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm - saw u won #SommsUF & @TEXSOM #Texas Best #Somm -w/o giving away secrets what do u think was ur secret 2 winning each?

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @TEXSOM Not so much a secret. Hard work + Humility + Preparation + Great Teachers + Luck = Success in Wine #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm - how many hrs do u work a week @highstreetwine & do you C hrs reducing & to what if so @scottota

Scott Ota @scottota: @KeeperColl @highstreetwine To open, expect 80-100 hr weeks, then slowly bring it back to 60 hrs/week #SommChat #realsommlife

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Time to wrap up! Hope U enjoyed talking abt #Wine w/ Advanced #Sommelier @scottota of @highstreetwine on #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Great to have Advanced #Sommelier @scottotaof @highstreetwine join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WW

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Please join us in thanking Advanced #Sommelier @scottota for his time on #SommChat

Scott Ota @scottota: Many thanks to all who tuned in today! Thanks @KeeperColl for hosting, & I hope to see you at @highstreetwine soon! Cheers! #SommChat